As a research assistant in the Cushman Lab I am leveraging time course RNA sequencing data to design and implement synthetic gene circuits towards improved crop photosynthetic water-use efficiency. The purpose of my work is to increase the drought resilience of crops by implementing a more water efficient version of photosynthesis in soybean. This requires the design and testing of gene circuits which recapitulate the spatio-temporal regulation of potentially 18 transgenes in the host plant.

At 34North I developed web-based geospatial data analysis tools including visualizations and analytics using private and publicly sourced data. During the development of each tool I was involved from the management and storage of incoming real time data to visualization in the browser.

Teaching assistant for introductory laboratory class in microbiology.

Masters in Biological Systems Engineering focusing on numerical and statistical modeling.

As a Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (DOE) recipient, I worked with the Visolis team to develop engineered bacterial strains for biomanufacturing.

As a research assistant in the Grover Lab, I was responsible for planning and carrying out a variety of experiments, procedures, and assays. I employed spectrophotometric and biophysical methods to study the thermodynamics of RNA secondary structure.

The Quantitative Reasoning Center (QRC) is an organization that employs successful students to aid peers with coursework and exam preparation for STEM classes. I was responsible for helping students who request help in chemistry and biology.

As a Winter Start Orientation (WSO) leader, I was responsible for a group of ten incoming freshman. I was tasked with orienting the new students to life at CC while leading a volunteering trip to homeless shelters in Crestone, Colorado.

As an assistant in the Bass Lab, I support research investigating the mechanism by which the enzyme Dicer cleaves precursor miRNA and siRNAs into mature species for RNA interference. An understanding of Dicer activity and the role of associated proteins that modulate its RNA cleavage capacity is essential when building a complete pathway for RNAi regulation and biogenesis. Specifically, I am investigating Loquacious-PD, a protein that helps Dicer cleave substrates with certain terminal structures. This research experience provides the opportunity to learn and practice protein purification, nucleic acid cleavage assays, gel-shift assays and how to properly handle Phosphorous-32.